The Political Interest Keep China Trade

Bill Clinton, addicted to compromise, is again close to foolishly splitting the difference on a crucial foreign policy issue. The question this time is whether the U.S. should continue or retard the growing two-way trade between America and China. By June 3, the President must decide to extend or revoke Beijing's most-favored-nation trading status.

The tug between ideals and interests has produced a mush of mixed signals since Clinton took office. After saying before he was elected that he would deny MFN to China, Clinton continued the policy last May, but only conditionally. He threatened a cutoff this spring if Beijing's...